Pumpkin Festival at Morning Glory Farm

Maybe it was because a crisp fall day dawned instead of the predicted rain. Or just that word had gotten around since last year’s successful edition of Morning Glory Farm’s annual Pumpkin Festival. Whatever the reason, more than 1,000 Islanders turned up at the farm on the Edgartown-West Tisbury Road on Saturday for this year’s event, creating something of a parking nightmare and unexpectedly long lines for food and activities.

“It was a tremendous crush of people,” said co-owner Debby Athearn with an appreciative chuckle. “There were twice as many as last year.”

Most attendees chose to focus on the food and fun. Island-raised beef and Island-grown veggies were featured, along with soups and muffins and other tasty treats. For fun, there were hay rides, pony rides, pumpkin carving, pumpkin painting, pumpkin bowling, hay rides, and face painting. Upbeat down-home music was provided by the Flying Elbows.